Regional fabric of the deep lithosphere in central Europe from seismic anisotropy

The large scale anisotropic structures with plunging symmetry axes in the subcrustal lithosphere of central Europe were derived from independent observations of teleseismic P-residual spheres and polarizations of the split SKS waves. The dipping structures are interpreted as remnants of palaeo-subduction systems which retain olivine orientations from ancient oceanic lithosphere. Values of kP and kS estimated from observed teleseismic P and SKS data are within the range of anisotropies found for the upper mantle rocks. The Variscides of central Europe may thus be characterized by two palaeo-subduction systems, with symmetry axes divergent relative to the suture between the Moldanubicum and Saxothuringicum.